FAQ

In the movie, "back home" refers to the Chicago area, where both Sam "Ace" Rothstein (played by Robert De Niro) and Nicky Santoro (played by Joe Pesci) are from. The characters are depicted as being associated with organized crime in Chicago and are sent to Las Vegas to oversee the Mafia's interests in the city's casino industry. In one scene, Nicky is shown returning to Chicago to attend a meeting with his bosses and to deal with a rival gangster who has been causing problems for the Mafia's operations in Las Vegas.

Yes, the movie is based on real events that took place in Las Vegas during the 1970s and 1980s. The character of Sam "Ace" Rothstein (played by Robert De Niro) is based on Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, a professional gambler and casino executive who was sent to Las Vegas to run the Stardust, Fremont, and Hacienda casinos. Similarly, the character of Nicky Santoro (played by Joe Pesci) is based on Anthony Spilotro, a Chicago mobster who was sent to Las Vegas to oversee the Mafia's interests in the city.

Many of the incidents depicted in the movie are also based on real events, such as the car bombing of Rothstein's Cadillac in 1982 and the FBI's investigation into organized crime in Las Vegas. However, some details have been changed or fictionalized for dramatic effect.

The movie is also based on a non-fiction book titled "Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas" written by Nicholas Pileggi. Pileggi conducted extensive interviews with real-life casino executives and mobsters who were involved in the Las Vegas casino industry during the 1970s and 1980s, and many of the characters and events depicted in the book and movie are based on real people and incidents.

It's more about control than Ward's employment. The meeting scene between Sam and Webb is to show that the county commissioner is someone who is used to getting his way by intimidation and threats, neither of which work on Sam, but since Webb sees him as some dumb city slicker, he was trying to get Sam to do what he wanted, as the man lives by control. His refusal is what ultimately led to his license being denied, orchestrated by Webb because Sam refused to give in to his demands.

It is never specified in the film, but it is most commonly assumed to be a type of liquid antacid, which typically come in a light blue bottle. It is stated at least once that Sam has an ulcer, caused by high stomach acidity and stress. It is most plausible that Sam is drinking from a bottle of Maalox, or perhaps Milk of Magnesia.

Yes, the movie is based on a non-fiction book titled "Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas" written by Nicholas Pileggi. Pileggi also co-wrote the screenplay for the film along with director Martin Scorsese.

The book and movie both tell the story of the rise and fall of Sam "Ace" Rothstein (played by Robert De Niro), a professional gambler and casino executive who is sent to Las Vegas to run the Tangiers Casino. As the story unfolds, Ace becomes embroiled in a web of corruption, greed, and violence, leading to his eventual downfall.

The book "Casino" is based on extensive interviews that Pileggi conducted with real-life casino executives and mobsters who were involved in the Las Vegas casino industry during the 1970s and 1980s. Many of the characters and events depicted in the book and movie are based on real people and incidents, although some details have been changed for dramatic effect.

"Wir setzen uns mit tränen nieder" from the "Matthaus Passion" by Johann Sebastion Bach - Opening credits, also played at very end.

"Zooma, Zooma" by Louis Prima - Ace's Vegas introduction/Narration. Played at the end during arrests.

"Moonglow/Love theme from Picnic" by Eddie Delarge/Irving Mills - The money room in the casino.

"You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You" by Dean Martin - The suitcase goes to Kansas City.

"Sing Sing Sing" by Louis Prima - Andy and Ace talk at the pool.

"7-11 (Mambo #5)" by the Gone All Stars - Narration; Ace's gambling expertise.

"Hoochie Coochie Man" Performed by Muddy Waters - Narration; Ace's expertise continued.

"Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)" by Otis Redding - Ace meets with the bosses.

"Long Long While" by Mick Jagger - Nicky stabs the guy with the pen.

"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" Performed by The Rolling Stones - Briefly after the pen scene.

"The "In" Crowd" by Ramsey Lewis - Doing favors for the politicians.

"The "In" Crowd" by Dobie Gray - The Japanese businessman loses big. h

"Compared To What" by Les McCann & Eddie Harris - "Everyones gotta watch everyone else.

"Slippin' And Slidin'" by Little Richard - Ginger throws the chips in the air.

"Love Is Strange" by Mickey and Sylvia - Ace watches Ginger leave.

"Heart of Stone" by The Rolling Stones - Ginger's hustling in Vegas.

"Love Is The Drug" by Roxy Music - Ginger pays various people off/her pimp.

"Nel blu Dipinto di Blu (Volare)" by Domenico Modugno - Nicky going through customs/diamonds.

"Takes Two to Tango" by Ray Charles & Betty Carter - Nicky's move.

"How High The Moon" by Les Paul & Mary Ford - Nicky keeps security at the casino.

"I Ain't Superstitious" by Jeff Beck - They catch a cheater.

"Working in A Coalmine" by Lee Dorsey - They warn the other cheater.

"Unforgettable" by Dinah Washington - Ace proposes to Ginger.

"Stardust" by Hoagy Carmichael - Ace consoles Ginger after she talks to her ex. also during end credits.

"What A Difference A Day Made" by Dinah Washington - Ginger sees the new house.

"I'll Take You There" by The Staple Singers - Ace gives Ginger the key to the safe deposit box.

"Love Me the Way I Love You" by Jerry Vale - Ace makes himself food and beverage director.

"Let's Start All Over" by the Paragons - Nicky cheats the Casino.

"Sweet Virginia" by The Rolling Stones - The cowboy won't take his feet off the table.

"Basin Street Blues" by Louis Prima - Ace arranges live shows at the Casino.

"Stella by Starlight" by Ray Charles - Ace accepts award at the country club.

"Sweet Dreams" by Emmylou Harris - Nicky becomes banned from every Casino.

"Can't You Hear Me Knocking" by The Rolling Stones - Nicky starts the jewerly "business."

"Toad" by Cream - They interogate/torture the hit man. It's played again while Nicky is changing cars.

"Those Were The Days" by Cream - Ace fires the slot manager.

"Hurt" by Timi Yuro - Ginger asks Ace for $25,000.

"The Glory Of Love" by The Velvetones - Ace catches Ginger giving away the money to her ex.

"Nights In White Satin" by The Moody Blues - Nicky meets with Ginger after her ex is beaten up.

"Walk On The Wild Side" by Jimmy Smith - The older woman sues the casino and gets whacked.

"Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones - A series of bodies from Nicky's hits surface.

"EEE-O Eleven" by Sammy Davis Jr. - Nickey talks to his partner at the bus stop.

"I'll Walk Alone" by Don Cornell - The bug in the store.

"Whip It" by Devo - Ace ignores Nicky in the restaurant.

"Ain't Got No Home" by Clarence "Frogman" Henry - Nicky abuses the Casino workers.

"I'm Sorry" by Brenda Lee - Ginger reunites with her pimp.

"Without You" by Nilsson - Ginger's pimp plots to get the money from the safe deposit box.

"Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac - Nickey talks to Ace in the car.

"Contempt-Theme de Camille" by Georges Delerue- Ace picks up Ginger at the airport. Also during end credits.

"I'm Confessing That I Love You" by Louis Prima & Keely Smith - Ace questions Ginger at the restaurant.

"The Thrill is Gone" by B.B. King - Ginger conspires with Nicky.

"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" Performed by Devo - Ace goes home to find his daughter tied up.

"Who Can I Turn To" by Tony Bennett - Ace confronts Ginger in Nicky's restaurant.

"Harbor Lights" by The Platters - Ginger asks Nicky to kill Ace.

"House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals - The bosses on trial/mobsters are whacked.

"Charlie M." is a character who is briefly mentioned but never seen on screen. He is referenced in the context of being a powerful figure in the Kansas City Mafia, which was one of the criminal organizations that had ties to the Las Vegas casino industry during the 1970s and 1980s.

Charlie M. is mentioned several times throughout the movie, usually in reference to the political and criminal connections that allowed him to exert influence over the casino industry in Las Vegas. According to the film, Charlie M. was involved in the decision to send Ace Rothstein (played by Robert De Niro) to Las Vegas to oversee the Tangiers Casino, and his influence was felt throughout the city's criminal underworld.

It's worth noting that while Charlie M. is a fictional character, the Kansas City Mafia was a real criminal organization that had a significant presence in Las Vegas during the time period depicted in the film.